Woman and dozens of dogs found dead

posted by Tom Moore, Newsradio WTAM 1100
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3 years ago

(Moreland Hills) -- A bizarre story is developing in which earlier this week, a woman and 31 of her dogs, were all found dead in her car. Moreland Hills Police say the car was found running in the woman's garage.

Media reports identify the woman as Sandra Lertzman, 62, who was head of the Animal Rights Foundation (ARF).

It hasn't been determined whether the woman and her dogs died from carbon monoxide poisoning or a drug overdose, but the case is being investigated by police and the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner.

Moreland Hills Police Chief Dale Canter tells WTAM it's his belief that, assuming it was a suicide, the woman may have put the dogs in the car with her because she didn't believe that anyone else could have cared for them as well as she could have. Canter says, "She was an animal lover. She took in strays and cared for them. They appeared to be well cared-for."